State of Illinois kicks off Black History Month by hosting events,
resources to support and empower the black business community
State honors proud history and bright future of Black
businesses in Illinois; Events to connect Black business owners and
entrepreneurs with resources to help them thrive amid COVID-19
Send a link to a friend
[February 03, 2021]
CHICAGO –The State of Illinois today announced a series of events and
resources planned during February’s National Black History Month to
recognize the important contributions of Black businesses in Illinois’
economy, and to promote efforts aimed at supporting their continued
growth in the years ahead. Planned by the Illinois Department of
Commerce (DCEO) Office of Minority Economic Empowerment (OMEE), the
Department of Central Management Services (CMS), and community and civic
leaders including the Chicago Urban League, Fifth Third Bank, and more –
the events planned will include a wide range of topics offering insight
into resources and programs exclusively focused on boosting Black and
minority-owned businesses in Illinois.
This year’s Black History Month pays tribute to the 132,000 Black
businesses in Illinois, building on the work that the State does
year-round to recognize their contributions and provide targeted
programs and resources to lift up diverse businesses and ensure
equitable opportunity for businesses of all types and sizes.
"National Black History Month is an opportunity for all of us to seek a
deeper understanding of Black history and experiences, laying the
groundwork for more progress toward equity and freedom the rest of the
year," said Governor JB Pritzker. "Since day one of my administration,
I've directed all of state government to operate with those values in
mind, and I'm proud of the steps the Department of Commerce and Economic
Opportunity and the Department of Central Management Services have taken
to support our minority-owned businesses around the state. From
launching the nation's largest small business COVID-19 grant program to
guiding less-resourced businesses through federal aid programs, this
month's Black business outreach events build on our efforts to bring
economic opportunity to every zip code of Illinois."
Throughout the month, DCEO will be partnering with state leaders in
promoting a wide range of events focused on topics including: COVID-19
relief, access to capital, branding, grant applications, and a special
panel focused on diversifying international trade. A number of DCEO and
State of Illinois programs will be highlighted – as well as financial
assistance by public and private partners.
“Throughout Illinois and across the country, Black businesses are
essential to the vitality and strength of our communities and the
economy,” said Erin Guthrie, Director of DCEO. “As we celebrate 2021’s
Black History Month, our administration is committed to lifting up all
of our Black-owned businesses now more than ever before given the
profound impact COVID-19 has had on these communities. We invite you to
join us for a series of events as we explore opportunities that will
allow them to grow and thrive.”
The Illinois Department of Central Management Service's (CMS) Business
Enterprise Program (BEP) will participate in several events and offer
training and technical assistance to business owners to assist them with
certification options. BEP certification ensures Black and other
minority-owned businesses in every community have the access and
opportunity to participate in the economic future of Illinois.
“Supporting Black businesses and entrepreneurs is a critical component
of restoring Illinois,” said CMS Director Janel L. Forde. “Through
programs like BEP, CMS is working to ensure historically disadvantaged
businesses have access to opportunities to grow their businesses,
especially as so many have been impacted by COVID-19.”
Upcoming events being hosted by DCEO, CMS, and its partners include the
following – registration is now open and can be found on the DCEO
website.
Wednesday, February 11, 2021, 10:00 A.M., Celebrating the History
of Black Business: A Fireside Chat with Director Erin Guthrie
DCEO will convene a discussion with 8 accomplished small business owners
from across the state to share their experiences during the pandemic,
including barriers overcome and lessons learned to help more Black
businesses thrive during the pandemic and beyond.
Thursday, February 11, 1:00 P.M., Fair Access to Justice |
Diversity in Procurement (Part I)
CMS and DCEO will present a special two-part Fair Access to Justice
Series, exploring diversity-related matters in procurement. This first
series will offer attendees information on the certification process for
the Business Enterprise Program (BEP) and guide small business owners to
resources and other important information relative to doing business
with the state of Illinois.
[to top of second column]
|
Thursday, February 18, 2021, 2:00 P.M., Black Access to
Capital: How Black Economic Trailblazers are Closing the “Racial
Wealth Gap”
DCEO Director Guthrie will join Fifth Third Bank, the Chicago Urban
League, 4S Bay Partners, and Black Chicago Pioneers for a panel
discussion about ways to increase access to capital in Black
communities, and solutions for addressing the equity gaps faced
today.
Tuesday, February 23, 2021, 2:00 P.M., Black History Month:
Opportunities in Trade and Overcoming Barriers
DCEO’s Office of Minority Economic Empowerment (OMEE) and the
International Trade Club of Chicago (ITCC) host a conversation about
how to increase Black business participation in international trade,
including through tools like the State’s I-STEP program, aimed at
introducing more small and minority companies to the $62 billion
dollar a year export market. Registration code: ITCCOMEE
Wednesday, February 24, 2021, 10:00 A.M., Advancing the
Development of Minority Entrepreneurship (ADME): Longevity in
Business
DCEO’s Office of Minority Economic Empowerment (OMEE) and the
Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) will host a
conversation on “Longevity in Business.” A panel of Black business
owners from across the state will share insights and best practices
for starting, growing, and maintaining a successful business for
years to come.
Thursday, February 25, 2021, 1:00P.M. Fair Access to Justice
| Diversity in Procurement (Part II)
CMS and DCEO will present a special two-part Fair Access to Justice
Series, exploring diversity-related matters in procurement. This is
the second conversation in the two-part series and will focus on how
the State can continue to advance economic development in Black
communities around Illinois by working alongside of community
organizations dedicated to this advancement as well.
With small businesses facing unprecedented challenges due to
COVID-19, the state has directed significant investments to expand
outreach and resources, placing a premium on equity and access for
small and minority owned businesses. This includes the
equity-centric Business Interruption Grants (BIG) program, created
by Governor Pritzker and the Illinois General Assembly to direct
emergency relief for small business owners amid the COVID-19 crisis.
The program, the largest of its kind in the nation, provided a
record number of minority grants, with nearly $90 million devoted to
these businesses, and $18 million for Black business owners.
“The BIG grant helped us through one of the toughest periods our
business has ever faced,” said Mr. and Mrs. Purfoy, owners of 15th
and Chris Restaurant in Rockford. “The pandemic hit us hard, both
personally and from a business perspective, but the funds from the
grant allowed us to steady the ship from slowed business and make
adjustments to prepare for what’s coming ahead.”
To help Black and minority-owned businesses address the sustained
impacts of COVID-19, the State has also bolstered investments in
outreach to help more Illinois businesses qualify for the recently
extended PPP. These new investments focus on hard-hit small and
minority-owned businesses – which have traditionally faced barriers
to accessing federal funding opportunities. To help more businesses
unlock funding on PPP this time around as well as the forthcoming
EIDL advance and Shuttered Venue Operator Grants programs, DCEO is
leveraging support by community navigator partners, piloted under
BIG. These partners include: the Illinois Business Immigration
Coalition, The Resurrection Project, the Greater Auburn Gresham
Development Corporation, and the Chicago Urban League.
“It is exciting to work with the State of Illinois to highlight the
plight of and offer concrete solutions to Black businesses,” said
Karen Freeman-Wilson, President and CEO of the Chicago Urban League.
“Like all of us, Governor Pritzker and Lt. Governor Stratton
understand the urgency of this work 365 days a year and have
delivered equity-centric programs that are meeting the needs of the
moment for our small, minority businesses.”
The Illinois Office of Minority Economic Empowerment (OMEE) plays a
crucial role in providing support to minority-owned businesses of
all sizes and types, including connection with grants, technical
assistance, and incentives to bolster minority entrepreneurs and
minority-owned enterprises. For more information on Illinois Black
History Month events planned for businesses, please contact Matthew
J. Simpson, the African American Business Development Manager, at
Matthew.Simpson@illinois.gov.
To learn more about ongoing resources and programs for businesses,
follow DCEO on social media @IllinoisDCEO or sign up to receive the
newsletter.
For updates on Black History events and future programming from BEP,
follow CMS on LinkedIn or visit the BEP Events calendar.
[Illinois Office of Communication and
Information] |